Ateneo center Kai Sotto, who stands 6-foot-11, made his debut in the UAAP high school tournament last year at the same age. But 14-year-olds are rare in the two rival leagues, especially in the guard spot.

Yet the experience will be nothing new for Baclaan, who, as a seven-year-old growing up in Barangay Bayanan in Muntinlupa, was already playing against his uncles and members of his school's varsity team.